Netball WA would like to acknowledge and pay tribute to Life Member, Shirley Christmass, who passed away in Northam on Wednesday 22 September 2021, at 93 years of age.
Shirley started playing in Northam in 1948 when Netball was known as 'Women’s Basketball' with a group of like-minded ladies, whilst encouraging the Northam Senior High School (NSHS) students to play the sport. Soon after, the Northam Netball Association (NNA) was formed and games were played at available courts all over town, until the association settled at its then new 12-court facility on the edge of town. Shirley helped orchestrate the NNA Season Opening Parade initially through the main street of Northam, and then around the netball courts; this was a highlight for her, the teams and the town every year.
Shirley was involved in Women's Basketball/Netball for 70 years as a Player, Coach, Umpire, President, Property Officer and as Patron. She held the NNA President position for 27 years. She then moved to the Property Officer role and eventually finished her service as the Association’s Patron. For her years of dedicated and outstanding service, Shirley received a NNA Life Membership in 1973 and then in 1998 asked "tongue in cheek", if she would get another because she had done a further 25 years of service. She was also awarded The Australian Sports Medal in 2000 and the Netball WA Life Membership in 2010.
Shirley attained her National Umpiring B Badge, umpired nearly every week at the Association and spent countless hours training and supporting umpires at NNA. Additionally, Shirley’s umpiring took her to regional areas to umpire finals matches and to the Country Week Championships, now known as the Fuel to Go & Play Association Championships. At 81 years of age, she umpired her last games in the NNA Under 12 division and enjoyed herself immensely.
Shirley also enjoyed coaching and she coached many teams at NNA, and passed these skills onto her three daughters. Shirley wanted every player to have access to the sport and her daughter Vivienne mentioned that her “Mum was always on the lookout for players who could go further and Northam had some successful state representatives over the years. She made sure Netball was available and accessible to all, so she fostered relationships with all of the schools and indigenous groups, ensuring all kids could find a team.”
Country Week was also a passion for her as a player and later as an umpire and manager/chaperone of the many teams NNA sent over the years. In 2018, Shirley was guest of honour at NNA’s 70th Anniversary Celebrations.
Netball WA is in awe of Shirley’s outstanding and dedicated service to our sport over a significant and sustained period of time. Shirley’s legacy will live on and she will be fondly remembered for many years to come.
Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with Shirley’s daughters – Vivienne, Peta and Janine, her extended family and friends.
